Juan Garcia-Abrego, a suspected link to the Cali Cartel in Colombia,
was placed on the list as part of an FBI operation to disrupt major drug
trafficking organizations.

Garcia-Abrego was indicted by a Houston grand jury in 1993 in connection
with a drug trafficking and money laundering scheme, and now faces charges
of coordinating a plan to smuggle massive amounts of cocaine and marijuana
to the United States through Mexico. Justice Department authorities say
he is the head of a major Mexican drug trafficking organization known as
the "Gulf cartel" and may have been involved in more than 50 murders.

Garcia-Abrego may also be tied to recent incidents of political violence
in Mexico. His nephew Antonio Abrego was arrested in connection with the
assassination of presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio. U.S. authorities
also suspect that Garcia-Abrego is associated with the death of senior Mexican
party official Francisco Ruiz Massieu.

Attorney General Janet Reno said that the capture of suspected drug kingpins
is a top Justice Department priority to ease the violence "that has
plagued our communities." This is the first time a suspected international
criminal figure has been placed on the FBI's list.